March 17, 2009

Reporters Notebooks

Lance Zierlein, Houston Chronicle: An excellent look at the current rankings for the top 50 prospects in this year's NFL draft. Zierlein writes: "My rankings are a combination of what kind of pro I think these players will be as well as what type of potential they have at their respective positions. I already know that some players will be drafted much higher or much lower than where I have them slotted, but I don't care. This isn't my mock draft, this is my own personal top 50 and my look into the future."

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald: Dexter Moody, one of the top players in Georgia’s 2009 recruiting class, was released from the national letter of intent he signed last month after a run-in at Emanuel County Institute. "I got in a little trouble down here fussing with a chemistry teacher," Moody said. "Me and him got in an argument. He didn't write me up or anything, but one of our assistant coaches went back to the principal and told him."

Andy Staples, SI.com: The Bryce Brown recruiting circus is over, and the running back prospect will attend Tennessee. The very public, very bizarre recruitment should force several changes in the way players are courted.

Andrew Carter, Orlando Sentinel: Bobby Bowden was talking football after Florida State's first day for spring drills, but would not take questions about the academic fraud case that could result in the coach having to vacate 14 victories. "I'm not going to comment about the NCAA thing, in case you wanted to ask," he said.

Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports.com: The 25 things to watch across the nation as spring football gets rolling.

Allen Gregory, Bristol Herald Courier: Frank Beamer and Terry Bowden are expected to compete Saturday night in a celebrity race at Bristol Motor Speedway, part of the undercard of the Food City 500. Lane Kiffin turned down an invitation. Thanks to Ben Maller.

Jay Drew, Salt Lake Tribune: Brigham Young will probably not hold a spring game because the grass playing surface a LaVell Edwards Stadium is being replaced and the new field won't be ready in time.

Ed Treleven, Wisconsin State Journal: Former Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill was arrested on a drunken driving charge last weekend after he allegedly led police on a short chase, then crashed his car near his campus-area home.

Associated Press: Marquis Cooper, the former Washington Husky player, may have died just a few hours after the boat he was in overturned in rough water, possibly before rescuers were even alerted that he and three others were lost off the west coast of Florida, according to Coast Guard records of the accident.